Sandboarding the Erg Chebbi Dunes at Merzouga

Yes — sandboarding is available at Erg Chebbi and has been growing steadily as an activity over the past few years. Local operators and camp hosts in Merzouga village rent boards and will guide you to the right slopes. You do not need to book far in advance; most guesthouses and riads in the village can arrange it on the morning of your visit. The dunes closest to the village are best for beginners, while the taller, steeper ridges further into the erg suit anyone who wants more speed.

Absolutely. Unlike snowboarding, there are no fixed obstacles, no lifts and no hard landings — sand is forgiving. Most first-timers are sliding confidently within 15 minutes. The learning curve is learning to keep the nose of the board up so it does not dig in; a guide will show you the technique in a few runs. Children from about age seven can participate comfortably on the gentler lower slopes, and the boards are simply waxed planks or modified snowboards, so there is no binding to master.

Board rental runs from around 50–100 MAD per hour (indicative; roughly $5–10 USD). A half-day guided sandboarding experience — where a local takes you to the better dune ridges, waxes the board and walks back up with you — typically costs 200–400 MAD per person ($20–40), depending on the operator and how many people are sharing the guide. Some private desert tour packages bundle sandboarding with a camel trek and overnight camp, which works out better value than booking activities separately.

Early morning — roughly 7:00 to 10:00 — and the two hours before sunset are ideal. In the morning the sand is cool and firm, which makes it faster, and the low-angle light turns the dunes gold. By midday in summer the surface sand reaches temperatures that make standing still uncomfortable, and the heat haze reduces visibility. The late-afternoon window before sunset is the most photogenic but slightly busier, since camel treks also set off then. Avoid the middle of the day in July and August entirely.

Yes, though the quality varies. Guesthouses in Merzouga village almost all rent boards — some are purpose-made sandboards with smooth bases, others are older snow boards with the bindings removed. Ask to inspect the base before you hire: a freshly waxed, smooth base makes a real difference to speed. Reputable private tour operators who run full-day Erg Chebbi excursions will carry their own equipment, which tends to be in better condition than boards hired by the hour from a street stall.

They are entirely different experiences. A camel trek is slow, contemplative, best at sunrise or sunset, and puts you physically inside the landscape at a walking pace. Sandboarding is active, physical and faster-paced — more like a sport than a sightseeing activity. Many visitors now combine both on the same desert day: sandboard in the early morning when the sand is cool and firm, rest through the midday heat at the camp, then ride camels for the late-afternoon sunset. The two activities complement each other well rather than competing.

Wear lightweight, close-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs — sun protection matters and sand gets everywhere in loose fabric. Closed shoes are essential; flip-flops are a bad idea on a 150-metre dune climb. Bring sunscreen (factor 50), sunglasses with UV protection and a buff or scarf to cover your face in case of wind. A small backpack with a litre of water per hour is enough. Leave your phone in a zip pocket rather than a hand — falls happen, especially on the first few runs.